Methods and systems for social matching

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for triggering a social match analysis. A user device such as a network connected device scans for one or more entity identifiers via camera, microphone, or wireless signal receiver and initiates a request to a social matching system. The social matching system retrieves attribute information for each of the identified entities and performs a match analysis, scoring the potential matches and noting common attributes. A match analysis report is generated and returned to the originating requesting user device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/056,036, filed on Oct. 17, 2013, which claims the benefit ofpriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/715,979, filedOct. 19, 2012, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of social-matchingmethods and systems. More specifically, the present invention isdirected to methods and systems that enable social matching to betriggered by input of data into a network-connected device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional social matching methods and systems are computer-basedplatforms that recommend individuals to each other. Such social matchingplatforms can introduce people both online and in physical spaces, forreasons including, but not limited to, friendship, dating, orprofessional networking Current social matching solutions cater tosubsets of the population that seek connection with others within theirpopulation-subset having specific attributes or who are seeking aspecific benefit or desired outcome from identifying a matchedindividual. Such social matching solutions have pre-defined attributecategories allowing users to report their own or their preferredattributes. While such platforms cater to well-defined subsets ofindividuals, they do not enable individuals to be matched with oneanother across different subsets of the general population based on aplurality of attributes. Further, having a limited subset of individualsand a limited scope of matching attributes with which to matchindividuals, the outcomes from social matching are limited, on average,to a well-defined and narrow set of benefits or outcomes for the users.Therefore, current social matching solutions are limited in that they donot address enhancing a range of benefits to individuals resulting frommatches. In addition, these platforms can quickly become stale ifincentives are not present for individuals to maintain and regularlyupdate their profiles in order to identify new individuals with whomthey have not yet been matched. Therefore, there is a need for socialmatching systems and methods that address matching individuals acrossthe larger general population and that enable matching based on amultitude of attributes and social matching outcomes.

Social matching platforms rely on many factors in order to determinewhat constitutes a good match. These can include, but are not limitedto, attributes such as demographics, user-selected interests,educational background, physical features, and behaviors. These matchingfactors may be entered by the user, observed by the system, or acquiredfrom external sources such as third parties. For example, an existingsocial media profile may provide matching factors or attributes. Suchapproaches to collecting attributes for the purpose of social matchinghave been limited to an available set of attribute categories associatedwith a given social matching platform. In these instances, the attributecategories do not address the needs of individuals who seek socialmatches that lie outside the scope of a platform's given set ofattribute categories. Therefore matching platforms and matching factorsare restricted to finding other individuals in the social matchingservice rather than finding third parties, groups or organizations ofinterest. For example, current platforms are limited in determining if alocation, a group, a website, an item, an experience or an event ispresently or has been historically frequented by others with whom anindividual may be matched. Furthermore, current social matchingplatforms calculate an affinity or matching score then entities with ascore that exceeds some threshold parameter are presented as viablematches to the end user. The details of the match analysis are notdisclosed to either entity of the potential match, which makes itdifficult to evaluate the match performance or to tailor results forspecific objectives. Therefore, current platforms are limited in theirability to enable matching based on a wide-ranging set of parameters andmotives and do not provide a detailed match analysis output containingall of the matching attributes and the relative values of eachattribute.

Social matching methods and systems typically provide users with accessto a mechanism for facilitating introductions with other people. Thismechanism is generally available through online websites or throughsoftware applications for mobile devices such as smartphones or tabletcomputers. The mechanism may be as simple as a listing of potentialmatches or may include search capabilities to further refine the resultset. These platforms are limited, however, in that they may not enablemultiple modes of one-to-one connectivity between matched individuals.Furthermore, such connectivity does not address having multiple formatsof connectivity, privacy settings for communications and discretion withregard to identity revelation between matched individuals. While someindividuals are unconcerned with regard to privacy and identity, othersprefer anonymity and privacy in communicating with matched individuals.In addition, many social matching platforms reveal the identities ofusers and provide access to full user profiles of potential matches oridentified matches. There are few provisions made to maintain privacy oranonymity among matched individuals. Therefore there is a need forsocial matching methods and systems that address privacy concerns withregard to communications, identities, and user profile data access.

The triggering of a match analysis can be initiated by the system or byone or more individuals. Current social matching platforms typicallyalert individuals when they have been matched by the system such thatboth individuals become aware of each other as a match. There are anumber of drawbacks to alerting both parties that a match has been made.For example, if one individual does not find the match desirable, theywill be less likely to find the system useful and thus will be lesslikely to use the platform, or, in cases of matched lists, they may wishto remove the match from their list but may hesitate in doing so if theother individual can become aware of the action taken. Therefore systemsand methods that incorporate discretion in qualifying potential matchesare desired. These systems and methods would provide for social matchingwherein the identified matches are not notified when they have beenmatched with a match-requesting individual. This enables thematch-requesting individual to privately determine if the match isdesirable and keep the match or, if the match is undesirable, to removethe match. Therefore, a platform that addresses this drawback may enabledifferent levels of matched-awareness. For example, one party (e.g., thematch-requesting party) or if desired, in some instances, two parties(e.g., the match-requesting party and the matched party) may be notifiedof the match.

Social matching systems utilize a process or algorithm to analyze thematching factors of one individual against all other individuals inorder to determine suitability for a match. This process is generallyexecuted on a periodic basis not correlated to when users access thesystem via the introduction mechanism. These systems are limited,however, since static or batch service matching requests by a socialmatching system do not enable dynamic user-initiated match requests.Some matching systems rely on physical proximity to alert pre-matchedusers for a potential introduction, however, this requires both users tohave systems actively in use that share or broadcast their location. Inaddition, an area of concern in social matching systems is the timingupon when match analyses are performed. The social, contextual,historical, and other attributes that together form a user profile maybe updated at any time and may be updated many times. A user's historyof attributes and this, user profile can be assumed to be changing frommoment to moment. Therefore, systems and methods that provide anon-demand or real-time user-initiated requesting capability while usingthe most recent available user profile attributes and contextual dataand without the need for more than one user to be actively engaged onthe platform are desired.

There is therefore a need for systems and methods that overcome some orall of the previously delineated drawbacks and limitations of priorsocial matching platforms, which provides for a social matching platformaddressing wide-ranging social needs of the general population withflexible, customizable settings that incorporate the preferences ordesired outcomes of different users including individuals or groups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is often perceived that unknown individuals passed by or brieflyinteracted with are “strangers” and are likely irrelevant to one's owninterests. When meeting new people or waiting in a public location whereother people are also present many individuals experience difficulty infinding topics to discuss with a new acquaintance or what commonalitiesare shared with others. Individuals also often travel to newdestinations where they are unaware of which venues such as restaurants,parks, stores, or beach spots are frequently visited by people in theirage range or people with the same interests, taste in food or music,finances, handicaps, or beliefs. Therefore, people also often experiencedifficulty when visiting or moving to a new location, attendingconferences, meeting desired outcomes or coming to a decision about asubject such as deciding on which restaurant to choose, school toattend, group to join, among many other decisions. In addition, anindividual's private information is easily compromised by a variety ofmechanisms. People who would like to engage in a social matchingplatform may be less inclined to do so particularly when they feel thattheir information such as identity or personal data are sharedindiscriminately, without their consent, or without their priorknowledge with others.

Thus, in addition to overcoming the delineated drawbacks of previoussocial matching platforms, an object of the present invention is toenable individuals to better connect with their surroundings and thepeople or groups around them now, at a given point in time, or over aperiod of time. In this regard, the present invention facilitates theenhancement of interactions with others and the enrichment of daily lifethrough a social matching method and system.

Another object of the present invention is to help determine what anindividual or group has in common with another individual, whether theyare online, in-person, or have historically frequented the samelocation, performed the same task or attended the same event.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user to be incontrol over when matches are conducted and for what purpose they areconducted. For example, the invention enables flexible and dynamicsocial matching since matching and subsequent information that isretrieved or related to a match analysis can depend on a user's specificneeds, desired match type or criteria, or desired outcome, at a giventime or location.

The present invention is directed to social matching and provides amethod, a computer-readable medium for a program containing a computerreadable code, and a system for social matching utilizing a user profilerepresentation and a user device. Exemplary embodiments in accordancewith the present invention will provide for using one or more entityidentifiers associated with attributes related to a user profile inorder to initiate and perform a match analysis, where the match analysisresults in the discovery of matches or recommendations for amatch-requesting entity. Entity identifiers can be used asrepresentations of a user's identification and are associated with auser profile or a user account. An entity can include but is not limitedto users such as, one or more individuals, one or more organizations,one or more groups, one or more locations and one or more events. Anidentifier can include but is not limited to digital media or files suchas image, video, audio, direct signals and device electronic signatures.A match analysis can include processing entity identifier relatedattributes in order to calculate and produce matching scores. A matchanalysis may also include qualifying or ranking matches depending oncloseness of match or proximity of matching scores.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for socialmatching and a computer readable medium for a program containing acomputer-readable code that when read by a computer causes the computerto perform the method for social matching are provided. The methodincludes the following steps: receiving one or more entity identifierson a first user device associated with a requesting entity; transmittinga match request from a requesting user device associated with therequesting entity to a match server; retrieving entity identification,contextual data and a plurality of attributes associated with either ofthe requesting entity or a third party entity, and for the one or moreentity identifiers from one or more databases; performing at least onematch analysis, the at least one match analysis comprising calculatingmatching scores and identifying matches between the retrieved entitiesand a requesting entity; formatting a match analysis output, the matchanalysis output comprising the results derived from the performed matchanalysis; and transmitting the match analysis output from the matchserver to the requesting user device.

In one embodiment, an entity identifier can include in whole or in part,and is not limited to, a name, a text, a keystroke sequence, a location,a QR code, a barcode, indicia, a code, a video, an image, a sound, anaudio recording, a URL, a biometric signature, a medical orhealth-related signature, a biomarker, a near field communicationsignal, or any combination thereof. Therefore, an entity identifier mayconceal the true identity of an entity. For example, in the case thatthe entity is an individual, the entity identifier may be used to retainanonymity and privacy regarding the individual's true identity,contextual data and attributes. In one embodiment, an attribute caninclude and is not limited to demographic information, interests,preferences, educational background, physical attributes, medical orhealth-related information, biometric signatures, or any combinationthereof. Attributes associated with an entity identifier can be gatheredby any of entity-reported data, third-party reported data,observation-based data, or combinations thereof. Contextual data caninclude and is not limited to a location, a range, a surrounding, anindividual, an item, an event, an experience, or combinations thereof.Entity identification can include and is not limited to user accountinformation or user profile information.

In one embodiment, the step of transmitting entity identifiers to thematch server can be performed on-demand by the requesting entity suchthat the match request can be performed at a desired time, location orfor a specific purpose. A third party entity can include any entity forwhich the requesting entity seeks to find matching entities. Forexample, in the instance of gift-giving, the requesting entity may seekto find matching entities for the gift receiver (a third party entity)such as a family member, friend, group, or any other entity. Thematching entities can then assist the requesting entity in discovery ofa suitable gift for the gift receiver.

In one embodiment, the step of receiving the one or more entityidentifiers on the user device associated with a requesting entitycomprises triggering the social match analysis to be performedon-demand. Therefore, the requesting entity can be in control over whena match analysis is triggered. This mode of social matching enables allcurrent information to be accounted for when a social match isperformed. In one embodiment, the step of receiving one or more entityidentifiers on the first user device associated with the requestingentity can include storing the one or more entity identifiers on avolatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a storage device associatedwith the user device. A storage device can include any suitable storagedevice configured to store data. In this instance, an entity identifiermay be received on the user device and stored for triggering a socialmatch at a later time. For example, the requesting entity may not haveaccess to a given network or may wish to wait until a more appropriatetime for requesting the match analysis. Alternatively, the requestingentity may wish to store the entity identifier for transferring toanother user device which will be used to trigger the social matchanalysis.

The method may include preparing a match request package at therequesting user device, the match request package comprising any of theone or more entity identifiers, a location of the request, matchingcriteria, user device information and combinations thereof. Therequesting user device can include any suitable user device associatedwith the requesting entity such as the first user device or another userdevice. Matching criteria can include any of a type of match request(e.g., one-to-one such as one entity seeking to match with one entity,or one-to-many as in one entity seeking to match with a plurality ofentities), a matching mode (e.g., individual-to-individual,group-to-location, etc.) the originating requesting user deviceinformation and combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the step of transmitting a match request from therequesting user device associated with the requesting entity to a matchserver can include transmitting the match request to a network using asuitable network connection. Suitable networks can include local areanetworks (“LAN”), a wireless local area networks (“WLAN”), an Ethernetnetwork, a wide area network (“WAN”), a cellular network, secure localand wide area networks, secure wireless networks, enterprise-widenetworks, storage area networks, virtual private networks, securevirtual private networks, internet, internet area networks, internetsecure networks, personal area networks (“PAN”), other communicationnetwork, and combinations thereof.

The step of retrieving entity identification, contextual data and aplurality of attributes associated with either of the requesting entityor a third party entity, and for the one or more entity identifiers fromone or more databases can include retrieving any of entityidentification, entity attributes, account information and combinationsthereof. The step of performing the one or more match analyses caninclude assigning a relative value to matched attributes, the relativevalue of the matched attributes used in calculating a matching score.The matching score can be used to present matches or recommendations.The step of formatting the match analysis output can include formattingthe output data according to the matching criteria and the requestingentity user device output formatting. Therefore, in addition topresenting matches, match analyses can also include recommendations.

Furthermore, the method of the present invention can include displayingthe match analysis output as a match analysis report on the requestinguser device associated with the requesting entity, the match analysisreport is displayed in any of audio format, visual format, digitalformat, textual format, graphical format and combinations thereof. Audioformat can be a live or recorded audio format, visual format can includeicons, avatars, or any suitable visual format, digital format caninclude codes, passwords, or other suitable digital format. For example,codes can be used to access matched entity information, icons or avatarscan be used to represent entities or convey information about entitiessuch as attributes. The method can also include displaying one or morematched entities and the corresponding one or more matched attributesacross either of the requesting entity or a third party entity and theone or more matched entities, where matched attributes can includeshared attributes, different attributes or desired attributes.Therefore, in one embodiment, only shared matched attributes can bepresented to the requesting entity. This is in contrast to sharing anentire user profile with the requesting entity and can be a desirableprivacy mode. In addition, once a match analysis is performed andmatches are identified, the matched entities can be removed if therequesting entity deems that they are unsuitable. In such an instance,the method can be executed such that matched entities do not becomeaware that they have been matched with the requesting entity or thatthey have been removed from the requesting entities match list. Inanother embodiment, the method includes initiating one-to-oneconnectivity between any of the requesting entity, the third partyentity and one matched entity. In this instance, each of the requestingentity, third party entity, and matched entity is equipped with asuitable communications device that is connected to a suitable networkfor communication. Therefore, one-to-one connectivity can include and isnot limited to any of electronic mailing, SMS text messaging, onlinechat, video conferencing and combinations thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system forsocial matching is provided. The system includes: a user device, theuser device in communication with one or more suitable networks; atleast one receiving mechanism to receive one or more entity identifiers,where the at least one receiving mechanism can include any of a camera,a lens, a microphone, a sensor, a receiver, a USB flash drive, andcombinations thereof; at least one stored computer-readable mediumcomponent containing a computer-readable code that when read by acomputer causes the computer to perform a method for social matching; amatch server, the match server configured be in communication with theuser device; and at least one database, the at least one database caninclude any of entity identification, contextual data, attribute dataand combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the user device can be in communication with the atleast one receiving mechanism, where the receiving mechanism isconfigured to receive and transmit one or more entity identifiers to theuser device. The receiving mechanism can be internal to the user devicesuch as a device resource, connected to the user device, or incommunication with the user device. Any suitable computer program,language or syntax can be utilized to receive and transmit entityidentifiers from the environment to the receiving mechanism or deviceresource and from the receiving mechanism or device resource to the userdevice. In another embodiment, the at least one stored computer readablemedium component containing a computer-readable code that when read by acomputer causes the computer to perform a method for social matching canbe stored on any of the user device, the receiving mechanism, the matchserver, the at least one database and combinations thereof.

The match server can be in communication with one or more dataprocessing resources such as any suitable device having a processor andprocessing capability such as computer, a server, or any otherprocessing resource. The match server or the one or more data processingresources can be configured to receive entity identifiers from the userdevice, search and retrieve entity attributes associated with thereceived entity identifiers from the at least one database, perform oneor more match analyses to derive a match score between received entityidentifiers and the requesting entity, format the one or more matchanalysis outputs for the user device type, transmit the formatted one ormore match analysis outputs to the user device, and display the one ormore match analysis reports on the user device. The stored computerreadable medium component can allow any of receiving, transmitting,processing, retrieving, matching, storing and formatting of entityidentifiers, match analysis output, match analysis reports, or entityattributes.

The user device can include an interface component where the interfacecomponent enables any of entering, storing, retrieving, visualizing,accessing or communicating information. The match server can beconfigured to receive, process, retrieve, transmit, match, store any ofentity identifiers, match analysis output, match analysis reports,entity attributes or combinations thereof. Entity profile data or entityaccount data may include the information related to a given entity usingthe social matching system such as entity identification, entityattributes, entity match requests, and entity contextual data. Inanother embodiment, the match server can be configured to search andretrieve entity attributes associated with the received entityidentifiers from the at least one database, perform one or more matchanalyses to derive a match score between received entity identifiers andthe requesting entity, format the one or more match analysis outputs forthe user device type, transmit the formatted one or more match analysisoutputs to the at least one user device, and display the one or morematch analysis outputs as a match analysis report on the user device.

Therefore, the present invention ties the entity identifiers to entityidentification, contextual data, or a plurality of attributes, allowingthe entity identifiers to be used in performing a social match analysis,running social matching applications from the originating requestingdevice while maintaining privacy and optionally without requiring theentirety of matched entities profiles to be accessible. Methods andsystems in accordance with the present invention can allow on-demandsocial matching for identifying individuals, groups, locations, time andlocation, events, experiences, items and other purposes, withappropriate attribute data or other information coupled with the entityidentifier to facilitate a near seamless social matching experience. Thepresent invention also enables multiple modes privacy and ofconnectivity between matched entities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forproviding triggered matches for matching entities;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating entity identifiers as input triggers tothe hardware and software components of the systems and methods of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of the methods and systems of thepresent invention depicting a user device receiving an entity identifierdirectly from another user device or individual;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an embodiment of a method and systems of thepresent invention depicting a user device receiving an entity identifierindirectly from another individual or user device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment of the methods and systems of thepresent invention depicting a user device receiving an entity identifierfrom one or more individuals or groups based on relative location; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an embodiment of the methods and systems of thepresent invention depicting a user device receiving an aggregated groupentity identifier indirectly from a published source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a flowchart of a method, indicatedgenerally at 10, in accordance with the present invention is shown. Themethod may be performed by the systems of the present invention in orderto trigger a match analysis and deliver details of the analysis back toan originator via a match analysis report. The originator can include,but is not limited to a requesting user device, an interface, or anysuitable requesting device. The requesting user device can include thematch-requesting entity's user device. Beginning at 12, any suitableuser device such as a network-connected device (e.g., a computer, amobile phone, a tablet computer, a proprietary reader, Google Glass,iWatch, or any other suitable device) scans the local environment (e.g.,an individual, a group, a location, an area or combinations thereof) forany suitable entity identifiers 14, which may include, but are notlimited to, printed numeric or graphical codes (e.g., barcodes or twodimensional QR codes), digital signatures via a suitable wired orwireless broadcast transmission method (e.g., Bluetooth, RFID, Wi-Fi,near field communications signals, or combinations thereof), or audiosignatures such as musical tones or spoken word. Entity identifiers canrelate to any of an individual, a group, a location, a time, an item, agift, an experience, an event, content, an attribute and combinationsthereof. The entity identifiers are packaged into a match request 16along with additional information that may include the location of therequest, the type of match request such as one-to-one or one-to-many,the match mode or desired matching entity, and the originating devicetype for proper output formatting. At 18, the matching system retrievesthe attribute details for each entity included in the match request. At20, the matching system determines the attributes that are shared incommon between the entities and calculates a matching score based onrelative values associated with each of the matched attributes. Relativevalues can be any values that are assigned to a matched attribute.Various relative values can be assigned to a matched attribute dependenton the desired match type or match criteria of the social matchingplatform or of the social match requesting entity. For example, arequesting entity may rank attributes in order of importance for whichthey are seeking matching entities or recommendations. The matchedentities are identified upon analysis of the matched attributes andsubsequent scoring of the matched attributes in accordance with theranking of matched attributes or their relative values. The results ofthe match analysis are formatted based on criteria of the match requestat 22, and the objective of the matching system and sent back to theoriginating match-requesting user device as the match analysis report24. The match analysis report can be displayed in textual, graphical,visual or any suitable output format on the user device. In oneexemplary embodiment, the match analysis report 24 can be displayed onan interface such as a graphical user interface (GUI) associated withthe user device or any other suitable device having access to the matchanalysis report. The interface enables visualizing in textual,graphical, or any suitable format, the social matching results.

In one embodiment one or more scanned entity identifiers may be storedfor triggering social matching at a later time. In such cases, networkconnectivity may or may not be available. However, even if networkconnectivity is available, in this embodiment, it may be desirable tostore the entity identifier for later use. Storage of the entityidentifiers can be achieved on any suitable storage device or methodincluding volatile or non-volatile memory associated with the userdevice or an external device in communication with the user device.Volatile memory can include any random access memory (RAM) andnon-volatile memory can include any read-only memory (ROM) ornon-volatile RAM. Alternatively entity identifiers can be stored on anexternal storage device or database until retrieved by the requestingentity or the user device to trigger a social matching process. In oneinstance, the scanned entity identifiers can be stored on a first userdevice and subsequently transferred to another user device. In thiscase, the transferred entity identifiers can be stored, transferred, orused to trigger the social match analysis.

Suitable requesting entities include automated entities and individualsor groups that are capable of initiating a social match request usingthe methods and systems of the present invention. These requestingentities can be broadly categorized as individuals, groups, orbusinesses and include, but are not limited to individuals, travelers,students, shoppers, parents, families, customers, patients, singles, jobseekers, networkers, firms, restaurants, parks, clubs, professionals,groups, and combinations thereof. In general, the requesting entityinitiates a social match request for the purpose of obtaining thedesired benefits associated with identifying matched entities thatinclude but are not limited to other entities such as individuals withsimilar attributes, desired attributes or other entities such aslocations, businesses, events, experiences, items, gifts or content thatare associated with individuals who share similar attributes. Suitablematched entities can include the same or different types of entities asthe requesting entity. For example, an individual can be matched with arestaurant, location or group as well as to another individual or forexample the requesting entity is a business or institution that providesgoods or services and can be matched with groups, restaurants, or toindividuals. Examples of matched entities resulting from a matchrequest, in particular include, but are not limited to, an individual, agroup, an event, an item, an experience, a company selling products, auniversity and a park, a destination, a location, a church, a meeting, aconference, a firm, a healthcare provider, and combinations thereof.

In order to provide for the matching of entities to the requestingentity in accordance with the desired social matching service, attributedata to be applied to a social matching request between a requestingentity and a matching entity are accessed by the social matching system.These attributes are an expression of the desired matching criteria,matching outcomes or type of match by the requesting entity from thesocial matching service as well as an identification of the requestingentity and may include but are not limited to user name, address, phonenumber, birth date, location, range, preferences, interests, beliefs,schools attended, health data, biometric data, genetic or otherbiomedical data, biomarker data, family data, a matching mode (anidentification of the type of matching desired to be performed), audiodata, visual data, security data, authentication data and combinationsthereof. Suitable methods for accessing the attribute data may includebut are not limited to entering entity-defined attribute data using aninterface in communication with the network, automated collection ofattribute data through observation of behaviors by the matching system,importation of attribute data from external social networking platforms,third party submission of attribute data and combinations thereof. Inanother embodiment, the attribute data are defined by selecting at leastone attribute from a pre-determined list containing a plurality ofattributes. The pre-determined list containing the attributes can bemaintained (e.g. by adding new attributes, removing old attributes andmodifying existing attributes) by the match requesting entity.

In one embodiment, the attributes are entered or selected by the matchrequesting entity using the input functionality of the equipment ordevice used to trigger the social matching. For example, if therequesting entity is using a smartphone, then the attributes are enteredas an alpha-numeric string using the keys on the smartphone.Alternatively, the attributes are entered or selected by the requestingentity using a device that is separate from and independent of anydevice used to trigger the social matching.

Referring next to FIG. 2 an exemplary embodiment is illustrated of amethod and system for receiving and processing entity identifiers inaccordance with the present invention. As shown, the diagram illustratesthe hardware and software, indicated generally at 30, of the systems andmethods of the present invention and the various representations ofentity identifiers that may trigger a social matching process. A device32 such as a user device connected to a network 40, may be able toreceive entity identifiers such as audio, wireless signals, or QR codes,from one or more device resources or receiving mechanisms, such as amicrophone, camera, or wireless signal receiver. Alternatively, thedevice may be connected to or be in communication with externalreceiving mechanisms. Suitable networks 40 include local area networks(“LAN”), an Ethernet network, a wide area network (“WAN”), secure localand wide area networks, secure wireless networks, enterprise-widenetworks, storage area networks, virtual private networks, securevirtual private networks, internet, internet area networks, internetsecure networks, personal area networks (“PAN”), other communicationnetwork, and combinations thereof. Wireless transmissions 34 such asWi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, etc. may originate from other network-connecteddevices 32, from any object with an embedded RFID chip, from mobiletransmission stations at an event, or from stationary transmissiondevices at fixed locations (e.g., commercial buildings, arenas,residences, etc.). In one embodiment, a user device 32 with a camera canscan optical representations of entity identifiers 36, such as barcodes,two dimensional barcodes (QR codes), logos, or printed text throughoptical character recognition. In another embodiment, a device with amicrophone can accept audio entity identifiers 38, such as musicaltones, spoken words, or the audio output of a television program orfilm. Once the user device 32 receives the various entity identifiers ittransmits a match request via the network 40 to the matching system 42.The matching system 42 includes at least one stored computer-readablecode to execute the tasks required by the social matching system, amatch server 43 configured to be in communication with the user device32, at least one database 44 containing entity profile data and aninterface component 33 enabling an entity such as an individual toenter, access or visualize social matching information. The matchingsystem 42 retrieves the entity attribute information from at least onedatabase 44 and performs the match analysis, prepares and formats thematch analysis output, and sends the match analysis report back to theuser device 32 via the network 40. Although illustrated as separateequipment, the functions of the match server 43 and the database 44 canbe combined into a single piece of equipment. The one or more databases44 are provided to store information needed by the social matchingsystem including, but not limited to, entity identification, entityaccount information, entity attributes and matched entities. Eachdatabase 44 can also include the computer-executable code for runningmethods in accordance with the present invention.

The match server may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers or devices. The remotecomputers may be a personal computer, a router, a storage device, orother common network node. The server will communicate using the variousknown protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP), etc. and secure protocols such as Internet Protocol SecurityProtocol (IPSec), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), SecureSockets Layer (SSL) Protocol, etc. The match server will further includea storage medium for storing a database of user accounts. Further thematch server can be in communication with at least one storage device ora plurality of memory locations including but not limited to the cloud,a third party server, multiple servers, a computer, or a user device forstorage of user information. In addition, any of the tasks required bythe match analysis such as retrieving data, processing data, orformatting match analysis results can be performed at the match serveror at another server or computer in communication with the match server.

Any suitable language or syntax that is capable of being read andunderstood by the device 32 can be used to receive or identify theentity identifiers. Examples of suitable languages include, but are notlimited to extensible markup language (XML), computer-readable code,binary code, abbreviations, natural languages, icons, audio signalsincluding Morse code, coded language using, for example, public keyinfrastructure (PKI), digital signals and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrating the hardware and software,indicated generally at 50, is shown. The diagram illustrates anexemplary embodiment of the systems and methods of the present inventionwherein an individual receives one entity identifier on a user device totrigger a social matching process. A device 52 connected to a network58, may receive input from one or more device resources or receivingmechanisms, such as a microphone, camera, or wireless signal receiver.Alternatively, the device may be connected to or be in communicationwith external receiving mechanisms. Suitable networks 58 include localarea networks (“LAN”), an Ethernet network, a wide area network (“WAN”),secure local and wide area networks, secure wireless networks,enterprise-wide networks, storage area networks, virtual privatenetworks, secure virtual private networks, internet, internet areanetworks, internet secure networks, personal area networks (“PAN”),other communication network, and combinations thereof. In this example,a device 52 with a camera can scan optical representations of entityidentifiers, such as two-dimensional barcodes (QR codes), displayed onanother device screen 54 or printed on apparel 56. Once thenetwork-connected device 52 receives the various entity identifiers ittransmits a match request via the network 58 to the matching system 60.The matching system 60 retrieves the entity attribute information fromat least one database 62 and performs the match analysis, prepares andformats the match analysis output, and sends the match analysis reportback to the network-connected device 52 via the network 58. The one ormore databases 62 are provided to store information needed by the socialmatching system including, but not limited to, entity identification,entity account information, entity attributes and matched entities. Eachdatabase 62 can also include the computer-executable code for runningmethods in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment illustrating thehardware and software, indicated generally at 70, is shown. The diagramillustrates an exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods of thepresent invention wherein an individual- or entity-user device receivesan entity identifier from a published source to trigger a socialmatching process. A device 72 connected to a network 78, may receiveinput from one or more device resources or receiving mechanisms, such asa microphone, camera, or wireless signal receiver. Alternatively, thedevice may be connected to or be in communication with externalreceiving mechanisms. Suitable networks 78 include local area networks(“LAN”), an Ethernet network, a wide area network (“WAN”), secure localand wide area networks, secure wireless networks, enterprise-widenetworks, storage area networks, virtual private networks, securevirtual private networks, internet, internet area networks, internetsecure networks, personal area networks (“PAN”), other communicationnetwork, and combinations thereof. In this example, a device 72 with acamera can scan optical representations of entity identifiers, such astwo-dimensional codes (e.g., QR codes), published in printed material 74or displayed within web content 76. Once the network-connected device 72receives the various entity identifiers it transmits a match request viathe network 78 to the matching system 80. The matching system 80retrieves the entity attribute information from at least one database 82and performs the match analysis, prepares and formats the match analysisoutput, and sends the match analysis report back to thenetwork-connected device 72 via the network 78. The one or moredatabases 82 are provided to store information needed by the socialmatching system including, but not limited to, entity identification,entity account information, entity attributes and matched entities. Eachdatabase 82 can also include the computer-executable code for runningmethods in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustrating the hardware and software, indicatedgenerally at 90, of the systems and methods of the present invention.The diagram shows an exemplary embodiment wherein a device receives oneor more individual entity identifiers based on relative location totrigger a social matching process. A device 92 connected to a network98, may receive input from one or more device resources or receivingmechanisms, such as a microphone, camera, or wireless signal receiver.Alternatively, the device may be connected to or be in communicationwith external receiving mechanisms. Suitable networks 98 include localarea networks (“LAN”), an Ethernet network, a wide area network (“WAN”),secure local and wide area networks, secure wireless networks,enterprise-wide networks, storage area networks, virtual privatenetworks, secure virtual private networks, internet, internet areanetworks, internet secure networks, personal area networks (“PAN”),other communication network, and combinations thereof. In this example,location-enabled devices 92, 94, and 96 are connected and communicatingwith the matching system 100 via the network 98, sharing their entityidentifiers and locations. Device 92 initiates a match request andmatching system 100 determines that device 94 is within the configuredrange and device 96 is beyond the configured location range. Thematching system 100 uses the entity identifier for device 94 andretrieves the entity attribute information from at least one database102 and performs the match analysis, prepares and formats the matchanalysis output, and sends the match analysis report back to thenetwork-connected device 92 via the network 98. The one or moredatabases 102 are provided to store information needed by the socialmatching system including, but not limited to, entity identification,entity account information, entity attributes and matched entities. Eachdatabase 102 can also include the computer-executable code for runningmethods in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a diagram illustrating the hardware and software,indicated generally at 110, is shown for an exemplary embodiment of thesystems and methods of the present invention. An individual receives oneaggregate group entity identifier indirectly via published means totrigger a social matching process. A device 112 connected to a network120, may receive input from one or more device resources or receivingmechanisms, such as a microphone, camera, or wireless signal receiver.Alternatively, the device may be connected to or be in communicationwith external receiving mechanisms. Suitable networks 120 include localarea networks (“LAN”), an Ethernet network, a wide area network (“WAN”),secure local and wide area networks, secure wireless networks,enterprise-wide networks, storage area networks, virtual privatenetworks, secure virtual private networks, internet, internet areanetworks, internet secure networks, personal area networks (“PAN”),other communication network, and combinations thereof. In this example,a device 112 with a camera can scan optical representations of groupentity identifiers, such as two-dimensional barcodes (QR codes),published in printed material 114 or displayed within web content 116that represents an organization, team or other group of individuals 118.Once the network-connected device 112 receives the various entityidentifiers it transmits a match request via the network 120 to thematching system 122. The matching system 122 retrieves the entityattribute information from at least one database 124 and performs thematch analysis, prepares and formats the match analysis output, andsends the match analysis report back to the network-connected device 112via the network 120. The one or more databases 124 are provided to storeinformation needed by the social matching system including, but notlimited to, entity identification, entity account information, entityattributes and matched entities. Each database 124 can also include thecomputer-executable code for running methods in accordance with thepresent invention.

In one embodiment, attributes are entered at the user device as specifickeywords or are selected from a drop-down list, requiring minimalprocessing at the match server. Alternatively, the attributes may byfree-form text or data files, requiring more analysis and processing bythe matching system match server or any other designated server incommunication with the matching system match server.

Various exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present inventionare possible depending on the type of match request or matching mode,device and network used. As shown in Table I, matching modes aredependent on the requesting entity and the matched entity and caninclude, but are not limited, to individual-to-individual,individual-to-group, individual-to-location, individual-to-time andlocation, individual-to-item, individual-to-gift,individual-to-experience, individual-to-event, individual-to-content,group-to-individual, group-to-group, group-to-location, group-to-timeand location, group-to-item, group-to-gift, group-to-experience,group-to-event, group-to-content. A variety of matching modes presentnumerous types of match requests and numerous potential outcomesresulting from social matching. In general, each matching mode canresult in the discovery of any of an individual, a group, a location, atime and location, an item, an experience, an event, content andcombinations thereof. Therefore a matching mode can utilize a matchedentity to discover or match to another entity that is associated withthe matched entity. Any type or format of entity identifier can beutilized to match requesting entities with matching entities.

TABLE I EXEMPLARY EXEMPLARY MATCHING/ REQUESTING MATCHED ENTITY ENTITIESEXEMPLARY MATCHING MODES INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL-to-INDIVIDUALGROUP INDIVIDUAL-to-GROUP LOCATION INDIVIDUAL-to-TIME & LOCATION TIME &INDIVIDUAL-to-ITEM LOCATION INDIVIDUAL-to-GIFT ITEMINDIVIDUAL-to-EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE INDIVIDUAL-to-EVENT EVENTINDIVIDUAL-to-CONTENT CONTENT GROUP INDIVIDUAL GROUP-to-INDIVIDUAL GROUPGROUP-to-GROUP LOCATION GROUP-to-LOCATION TIME & GROUP-to-TIME &LOCATION LOCATION GROUP-to-ITEM ITEM GROUP-to-GIFT EXPERIENCEGROUP-to-EXPERIENCE EVENT GROUP-to-EVENT CONTENT GROUP-to-CONTENT

In one embodiment, the present invention enables an individual or groupto be matched to any of an attribute, individual, group, location, timeand location, item, gift, experience, event, or content, based onhistorical, present, or future information about any of one or moreattributes, individuals, groups, locations, times and locations, items,gifts, experiences, events, or content. For example, an individual orgroup user is matched to individuals or groups that have frequented agiven restaurant in the past and share a food allergy. In this instance,any type or format of entity identifier relating to any of anindividual, a time, a location, a group, an item, an event, content, anattribute and combinations thereof can be used to discover one or moreattributes, individuals, groups, locations, items, gifts, events,experiences, or content, that are associated with the one or morematched individuals or groups. As shown in Table II, exemplary matchingmodes are segmented into matching variations wherein subsequent matchingoutcomes can be achieved.

TABLE II EXEMPLARY EXEMPLARY MATCH MATCHING MODE VARIATIONS EXEMPLARYSUB-VARIATIONS INDIVIDUAL-to- Location Individual Matched to IndividualBased on Location: INDIVIDUAL Worldwide, Regional, City, CloseProximity, Very Close Proximity, Web Address, In-Print Time IndividualMatched to Individual Based on Historic, Present, and Future Informationof Individuals: At a Location At a Time and Location INDIVIDUAL-to-Location Individual Matched to Group Based on Location: GROUP Worldwide,Regional, City, Close Proximity, Very Close Proximity, Web Address,In-Print Time Individual Matched to Group Based on Historic, Present,and Future Information of Groups: At a Location At a Time and LocationGROUP-to-GROUP Direct Match Group Matches to Group Common Comparing Twoor More Groups to Identify Denominator Common Attributes DifferencesComparing Two or More Groups to Identify Differences or Missing butDesired Attributes INDIVIDUAL/GROUP- Physical Location Individual/GroupMatched to a Location to-LOCATION Non-Physical Individual/Group Matchedto a Non-Physical Location Location INDIVIDUAL/GROUP- ItemsIndividual/Group Matched to an Item to-ITEM Gift- Individual/GroupMatched to a Gift or Donation Giving/Donations INDIVIDUAL/GROUP-Experience Individual/Group Matched to an Experience to-EXPERIENCE orEvent Individual/Group Matched to an Event EVENT INDIVIDUAL/GROUP- MediaIndividual/Group Matched to Common Media to-CONTENT

In one embodiment, time can relate to any of the historical, present orfuture information about a given location, individual, group, item,gift, event, experience, attribute and combinations thereof. In anotherexample, time and location information can be utilized to match a userwith individuals or groups having children the same ages as the user andvisit a section of Central Park at 3:00 PM on Saturdays. The converse isalso enabled by the present invention where a user is matched to one ormore individuals or groups having children of the same age as the userand that visit a section of Central Park at a given time.

In one embodiment, a user in New York City is matched to a user in Dubaisharing the same disease. In this Individual-to-Individual matchingmode, the entity identifier is related to a location which, in thiscase, is set to a worldwide identifier and the disease is the attributefor which the requesting entity identifies another individual.Alternatively, a location-based entity identifier could be set to aregion such as the Northeast United States, a city such as WashingtonD.C., a close proximity or dynamic location such as a party or anairplane, a web address such as an online news article or blog, or aprinted entity identifier such as a QR code for a speaker at aconference. In the instance of an online location, a user reading a blogcan be matched with the blogger since they are both, for example, tennisplayers or share other attributes in common. In another similarinstance, a user reading New York City restaurant reviews is matched toNew York City restaurant reviews written by people that match their dietor dining preferences (e.g., vegan, gluten-free, etc.). In the instanceof a printed entity identifier, a user reading a speaker's biography ata conference can scan, for example, the speaker's entity identifierwhich may be on a printed document or other printed or published format,in order to determine what they share in common such as same taste inmusic or same hometown.

In another embodiment, an individual can be matched to a group based onhistorical, present, or future information about a group. For example,20% of people that have read a given publication share the users'interest in photography and extreme sports. In this instance, anindividual can use an entity identifier relating to information thatidentifies any of a publication such as media content, a time, alocation, a group, an item, an event, an experience, an attribute andcombinations thereof to discover groups or locations that are frequentedby matched groups. As another example, a user is deciding where to gofor an evening out and finds that the group of people standing in a lineto enter a nightclub match their music taste and age, therefore havingidentified that the group shares these common attributes, the user mayalso wish to stand in that line. Alternatively, a user may find that 80%of an online group which already shares one or more common attributesadditionally shares the users interest in snow skiing, or that 20% ofstudents at a given University match the users current profession andinterest in golf.

In one embodiment, the present invention may assign an entity identifierto an aggregated group to identify common attributes with an individualor a group. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention aggregatesa plurality of user profiles to form an aggregated group based on agiven entity identifier in order to perform one or more match analyses.An aggregated group is a group of user profiles that are aggregatedbased on one or more desired outcomes, common or different attributes. Asingle user profile then can be aggregated into multiple groups where agroup can be represented or identified with a unique entity identifierbased on common attributes.

In one instance, the aggregated profiles of a group of medical studentsmatch a group of alumni where both groups share the same medicaloncology focus. In another instance, two groups are compared to identifycommon attributes such as when matching a groom and a bride's families,aggregated profiles identify that the majority of individuals from bothgroups like chocolate cake and classical music. In one instance,different attributes are desired wherein one group is matched withanother group to identify missing but desired attributes. For example, amilitary unit from Fort Bragg is matched with a military unit fromAfghanistan to ensure that both units have sufficient tank mechanics.

In one embodiment, a vegan user can match with a restaurant that hasvegan items on their menu in an Individual-to-Location matching mode.Similarly, a group of travelers with a common interest in modern art canmatch with a museum's modern art display in a Group-to-Location matchingmode. In another embodiment, matching to an individual or a groupnon-physical location can, for example, include matching an individualor group of Washington Capital's fans with an online merchant that sellsWashington Capitals T-shirts or tickets.

In one embodiment, an individual or group can be matched to an item. Forinstance, individuals or groups that match a requesting entities levelof technology knowledge prefer a specific cell phone or software. Inanother instance, item matches can identify gifts or donations. Forexample, individuals that match the style, size or favorite color of asignificant other purchased a specific sweater. Similarly, individualsor groups can be matched to experiences such as a sunset sail, eventssuch as an annual meeting a specific resort, or media content such as anews article, television program, or music.

In another embodiment, once at least one match has been made, thepresent invention enables initiating one-to-one connectivity between anyof the requesting entity, the third party entity and one matched entity.In one embodiment, a third party can be an entity that is included in amatch analysis by the requesting entity in order to identify similarentities to the third party. One-to-one connectivity can include anysuitable mode of communication between entities including but notlimited to any of electronic mailing, SMS text messaging, online chat,video conferencing and combinations thereof.

In general, the system used with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention can be divided into three subsystems—an end-user subsystem, atransmission subsystem and a processing subsystem. The end-usersubsystem can include the functions that are performed by the socialmatching system utilizing the user device in accordance with the presentinvention. For example, the end-user subsystem functions may include andare not limited to entering or changing attribute data, selecting amatching mode, scanning the local environment for entity identifiers,storing entity identifiers, initiating a match request, reviewingmatched entities, accessing match lists, and combinations thereof. Thetransmission subsystem can include the functions that are performed bythe social matching system in transmitting data through the one or morenetworks. For example, the transmission subsystem functions may includeand are not limited to transmitting entity identifiers to or from thematch server, transmitting match requests to a database, transmittingmatched entity information to the user device and combinations thereof.The processing subsystem can include the functions that are performed bythe social matching system to process data and identify matches. Forexample, the processing subsystem functions may include and are notlimited to processing entity identifiers, storing attribute data,retrieving attributes from a database, calculating matching scores,matching entities formatting match analysis output, sending matchanalysis output to a network and combinations thereof.

The present invention is also directed to a machine-readable orcomputer-readable medium containing a machine-executable orcomputer-executable code that when read by a machine or computer causesthe machine or computer to perform a method for social matching inaccordance with receiving entity identifiers at a user device inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention and tothe computer-executable code itself. The machine-readable orcomputer-readable code can be any type of code or language capable ofbeing read and executed by the machine or computer and can be expressedin any suitable language or syntax known and available in the artincluding machine languages, assembler languages, higher levellanguages, object oriented languages and scripting languages. Thecomputer-executable code can be stored on any suitable storage medium ordatabase, including databases disposed within, in communication with andaccessible by computer networks utilized by systems in accordance withthe present invention and can be executed on any suitable hardwareplatform as are known and available in the art.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein fulfill the objectives of the present invention, it isappreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may bedevised by those skilled in the art. Additionally, feature(s) and/orelement(s) from any embodiment may be used singly or in combination withother embodiment(s) and steps or elements from methods in accordancewith the present invention can be executed or performed in any suitableorder. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims areintended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which wouldcome within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a match server, a match request associated with a requesting entity; retrieving a plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity; identifying a plurality of matches, each match from the plurality of matches being between an attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity and an attribute from a plurality of attributes associated with a third party entity; and transmitting a match analysis output indicating each attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the third party entity that matched an attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity but not indicating other attributes associated with the third party entity that do not match an attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating one-to-one connectivity between the requesting entity and the third party entity based, at least in part, on the match analysis output.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the plurality of matches includes identifying the plurality of matches in parallel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the match request is received from a user device associated with the requesting entity, and the match analysis output is transmitted to the user device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: for a match from the plurality of matches, an attribute associated with the requesting entity is associated with a first value and an attribute associated with the third party entity is associated with a second value; and a relative value of the match is based on the first value and the second value, the method further comprising: calculating a matching score associated with the requesting entity and the third party entity based, at least in part, on the relative value.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: for a first match from the plurality of matches, a first attribute associated with the requesting entity is associated with a first value and a first attribute associated with the requesting entity is associated with a second value; a relative value of the first match is based on the first value and the second value; for a second match from the plurality of matches, a second attribute associated with the requesting entity is associated with a third value and a second attribute associated with the requesting entity is associated with a fourth value; a relative value of the second match is based on the third value and the fourth value; calculating a matching score associated with the requesting entity and the third party entity based on the relative value of the first match and the relative value of the second match; and the match analysis output including the matching score.
 7. The method of claim 1, the match request is received from a user device associated with the requesting entity and the match analysis output is transmitted to the user device, the method further comprising: define a plurality of unmatched attributes associated with the third party entity, each unmatched attribute associated with the third party not matching an attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity, the match analysis output excluding the unmatched attributes associated with the third party entity such that the user device does not receive an indication of the plurality of unmatched attributes.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a computer-readable code that when read by a computer causes the computer to: receive, at a match server, a match request from a user device associated with a requesting entity; retrieve a plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity and a plurality of attributes associated with a third party entity; identify a match between a first attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity and a first attribute associated with the third party entity; send, to a user device associated with the third party entity, a request to approve the match including an indication of the first attribute associated with the requesting entity, the request to approve the match excluding a second attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity that does not match a second attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the third party entity, the user device associated with the third party entity being different from the match server; receive, from the user device associated with the third party entity in response to the request to approve the match, an approval of the match; and transmit, from the match server to the user device associated with the requesting entity and in response to the approval of the match, a match analysis output including the second attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the third party, the user device associated with the requesting entity being different from the match server.
 9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising code to cause the computer to initiate one-to-one connectivity between the requesting entity and the third party entity based, at least in part, on the approval of the match.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, the code further comprising code to cause the computer to receive an entity identifier from the user device associated with the requesting entity, the match between the first attribute associated with the requesting entity and the first attribute associated with the third party entity performed on-demand in response to receiving the entity identifier.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein: the first attribute associated with the requesting entity is associated with a first value and the first attribute associated with the third party entity is associated with a second value; a relative value of the match is based on the first value and the second value; and the request to approve the match includes a matching score based on the relative value of the match.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the match is a first match, the code further comprising code to cause the computer to: identify a second match between a third attribute associated with the requesting entity and a third attribute associated with the third party entity, the request to approve the match including an indication of the third attribute.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the code to cause the computer to transmit the match analysis output includes code to cause the computer to send the match analysis output only after receiving the approval of the match from the user device associated with the third party entity.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, the code further comprising code to cause the computer to prevent any information associated with the third party entity from being transmitted to the user device associated with the requesting entity prior to receiving the approval of the match from the user device associated with the third party entity.
 15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the request to approve the match excludes all attributes from the plurality of attributes associated with the requesting entity that do not match a corresponding attribute from the plurality of attributes associated with the third party entity.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a computer-readable code that when read by a computer causes the computer to: define an aggregate profile for a group based on a plurality of profiles, each profile from the plurality of profiles being of a third party from a plurality of third parties, each profile from the plurality of profiles including a plurality of attributes, the aggregate profile including a plurality of aggregate attributes, each aggregate attribute from the plurality of aggregate attributes based on a contribution from an attribute from each profile from the plurality of profiles; receive, from a user device associated with a requesting entity, a request for the requesting entity to be matched to the group; retrieve a profile associated with the requesting entity, the profile including a plurality of attributes; and transmit a match analysis output to the user device associated with the requesting entity, the match analysis output including an indication of a plurality of matches between attributes of the aggregate profile and attributes of the profile associated with the requesting entity.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the request from the user device includes a request for the requesting entity to be matched to the group based on the group being associated with a first attribute.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein: the request from the user device includes a request for the requesting entity to be matched to the group based on the group being associated with a first attribute, the code further comprising code to cause the computer to: identify a match between the profile associated with the requesting entity and the aggregate profile based on a second attribute, the match analysis output including an indication of the group and an indication of the second attribute.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, the code further comprising code to cause the computer to: identify a match between the profile associated with the requesting entity and a third party from the plurality of third parties based on an attribute of the requesting entity, the match analysis output including an indication of the third party and an indication of the attribute, the match between the requesting entity and the third party based, at least in part, on the third party being associated with the group.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein: the request from the user device includes a request for the requesting entity to be matched to the group based on the group being associated with a first attribute, the code further comprising code to cause the computer to: identify a match between the profile associated with the requesting entity and the aggregate profile based on a second attribute; and identify a match between the requesting entity and a third party from the plurality of third parties based on a third attribute of the requesting entity, the match analysis output including an indication of the third party and an indication of the third attribute, the match between the requesting entity and the third party based, at least in part, on the third party being associated with the group.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the match analysis output excludes other attributes associated with the aggregate profile that do not match an attribute of the profile of the requesting party. 